Choral Conducting

The reputation of Westminster Choir College rests in large part upon the excellence of the choirs and the success of its graduates. The nation’s leading critics and orchestra conductors continue to find the choirs worthy of the highest praise. Alumni lead some of the finest choral programs in schools, churches, communities, and on campuses across the country. Choral music is therefore the focus of all curricula. Opportunities for choral performance on a professional level are unparalleled, and students acquire a strong foundation in conducting technique and knowledge of choral literature.

Chapel Choir functions both as a training organization and as a performing choir in its own right.

Schola Cantorum expands on the first year’s experience with further exploration of repertoire and style.

Symphonic Choir prepares significant works from the standard and contemporary repertoires for performance with the major orchestras of the Eastern seaboard and with visiting orchestras from elsewhere in the United States and abroad.

Westminster Choir consists of approximately 40 voices selected annually by audition. A national tour is made each year and several additional engagements are accepted. In the early summer the choir travels to Charleston, S.C., where it is the resident choir for the Spoleto Festival, U.S.A.

Westminster Kantorei is an auditioned choir of 12 to 16 voices specializing in music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Williamson Voices is an auditioned group of 32 singers whose repertoire covers a broad spectrum that includes world music and contemporary choral works.

Graduate Music Education and Sacred Music - Conducting Concentration
All graduate students majoring in Sacred Music and those Music Education majors admitted with conducting as the performance field participate in Symphonic Choir for two semesters and in Master Singers for two semesters. A half recital in conducting is presented at the culmination of study. For Sacred Music majors, the conducting recital is a requirement in addition to the solo recital.